Four children held captive in truck for 7 years by woman and her fiancé
A Florida woman and her fiancé were accused of keeping four children in the cab of a tractor-trailer truck for several years without adequate education, medical care, or hygiene, according to court document.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said 51-year-old Keisha Monique Epps and 37-year-old Tamra Marshon Stewart were arrested during the first week of August 2026.
They were each charged with four counts of child neglect.
Authorities said they had been living in the truck with the children since December 2019.
“All of the victims disclosed that they have not been allowed to attend school for approximately five years and had not seen a doctor or dentist for urgent or preventive car,” a detective said.
One child — who was allegedly s3xually assaulted by Stewart — had an untreated s3xually transmitted infection (STI) that “caused a fish smell,” according to the document.
The child was diagnosed with the STI during a medical exam in May by the Child Protection Team, authorities said.
Documents show the children told Epps about the alleged abuse, but “she did nothing to stop it” and “blamed them for Stewart’s behavior.”
When the children confronted Steward, he allegedly “them by punching them in their heads,” according to the documents.
The report said capital s3xual battery charges would be filed by a prosecutor.
The documents note the children spent most of their days inside the cab. They allegedly shared a bed and could not lie flat in the bunk because it was too small.
Investigators said the children were rarely allowed out of the cab, including to use the bathroom.
The report also alleged the children were fed poorly and were not allowed to shower or exercise.
Authorities said Stewart watched the children while Epps drove the truck.
It wasn’t immediately known if the children were related to the suspects.
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